Isoleucine

Isoleucine is an amino acid that is best known for its ability to increase endurance and help heal and repair muscle tissue and encourage clotting at the site of injury. This amino acid is especially important to serious athletes and body builders because its primary function in the body is to boost energy and help the body recover from strenuous physical activity.

What it is

Isoleucine is a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA). There are three branched-chain amino acids in the body, isoleucine, valine, and leucine, and all of them help promote muscle recovery after exercise. Isoleucine is actually broken down for energy within the muscle tissue. Is also keeps energy levels stable by helping to regulate blood sugar; a deficiency of isoleucine produces symptoms similar to those of hypoglycemia, and may include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, depression, confusion, and irritability.

What it does

Isoleucine is needed for hemoglobin formation; stabilizes and regulates blood sugar and energy levels. It is valuable to athletes because it aids in the healing and repair of muscle tissue, skin and bones. It has been found to be deficient in people suffering from certain mental and physical disorders.

Benefits

• Production of energy in body
• Supplement for body (muscle) building
• Muscle recovery after exercise
• Formation of haemoglobin
• Regulation of blood sugar levels
• Blood-clot formation

Dosage

Most people get enough isoleucine from their diet, although some individuals do supplement their diet with about 650 – 700 mg of isoleucine per day (based on a 70 kg body), or worked out to 10 – 12 mg per kg of body weight per day.